Looking for a small MIDI keyboard

[NewWorldMare]

I'm looking for a 1 or 2 octave MIDI keyboard that I can fit in a roughly 12" x 18" space and use to hash out melodies and test VSTs in FL. I already play the piano and intend to continue even after I leave high school, so I'd like to make an investment in a good keyboard.

Does anyone have any suggestions? If you use something similar, would you suggest what you're using?

[vladnuke]

Currently, my travel keyboard is an AKAI MPK mini that I grabbed in a hurry a day before my trip. It is quite the little workstation, 2 octave, velocity sensitive, with your standard octave changer and arpegiator, along with 8 programable knobs and 8 pads with two banks. The velocity sensitivity is a little lacking, but for quickly hashing out something, it is wonderful. It's also really, really light. Basically, it's good for travel, being 12x6 inches, but I use a much larger 7 octave m-audio midi keyboard when I'm home.
The mini cost around $110, and the 7 octave was $300.

[Trillionage]

The one i have was also pretty cheap (less than 50) but lacks many of the nice things Vlad's has. It's a refurbished Akai Synthstation 25 (Linky). The keys are a bit small and it's pretty bare bones: octave selector and mod and pitch wheel.

But if you have an ipod touch/Iphone/Ipad with extension, you can not only use to it's full power, but also use it as a portable DAW. You have to get a Mini USB, though.

[NewWorldMare]

I'll look into both of those. Thanks for the the suggestions!

[Lavender_Harmony]

I have an Akai LPK25, which is a condensed version of the one mentioned above, and can be bought really cheaply. I use it often because it fits right on the edge of my desk and is easier than going over to my main keyboard.

[K3WRO]

I have an Akai LPK25, which is a condensed version of the one mentioned above, and can be bought really cheaply. I use it often because it fits right on the edge of my desk and is easier than going over to my main keyboard.

That too

[Whitetail]

Honestly if you're just testing synth sounds and messing with melodies I'd suggest the LPK25 over the Mini, honestly the drum pads really aren't something you're ever going to use much so I'd go with the more affordable option.

[vladnuke]

Yeah, I think I only got the pads cause they were shiny and I was all like "boop boop" and said "oh whatever, I've got the cash" and got the mini. And the knobs were nice too.

[Versilaryan]

IIRC, the MPK Mini is literally only $5 more if you buy it on Amazon. I was going for the LPK, but when I saw that, I figured I might as well.

[That_One_Dood]

I got my M-audio Oxygen 8 midi keyboard second hand, it goes for 80$ on Amazon. I love the thing, it has something like 16 keys, 8 control knobs two wheel controls and an octave and volume control.
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Oxygen-Mi ... i+keyboard

[NewWorldMare]

Nice! Looks like there are a lot of options.

Agreed about the pads on the MPK mini, I don't feel like I'd need them. But if it's only $5 more...

I looked at the Oxygen, and it doesn't look bad either. It's almost like there are too many choices :/

I'm going to have to do some research obviously. Thanks all.

[natsukashi]

Yeah even if you don't feel that you need the pads, you can get creative with them if you've got them. For instance you can map them as on/off buttons for effects. So if you want to chorus the shit out of something whilst recording the midi notation live, you can assign a pad and it will let your turn the effect on and off respectively.

Or you could learn to record drums with them, I usually have an easier time tapping out interesting beats than thinking them out. :3

[bartekko]

Yeah even if you don't feel that you need the pads, you can get creative with them if you've got them. For instance you can map them as on/off buttons for effects. So if you want to chorus the shit out of something whilst recording the midi notation live, you can assign a pad and it will let your turn the effect on and off respectively.

Or you could learn to record drums with them, I usually have an easier time tapping out interesting beats than thinking them out. :3

Also, you can route midi back to your pad, so it lights up when, for example, a drum is hit :3

[NewWorldMare]

Yeah even if you don't feel that you need the pads, you can get creative with them if you've got them. For instance you can map them as on/off buttons for effects. So if you want to chorus the shit out of something whilst recording the midi notation live, you can assign a pad and it will let your turn the effect on and off respectively.

Or you could learn to record drums with them, I usually have an easier time tapping out interesting beats than thinking them out. :3

Also, you can route midi back to your pad, so it lights up when, for example, a drum is hit :3

OH MY GOD REALLY? SHINY

*ahem* that would actually be pretty cool.